The Adze Biotechnology Metastatic Melanoma Phase 1 Clinical Program is actively recruiting patients in Australia at the Tasman Health Clinic.
What is metastatic melanoma therapy?
Metastatic melanoma therapy refers to treatments used when melanoma has spread beyond the original skin site to other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes, lungs, liver, brain, or other organs. At this stage, treatment is usually systemic—meaning it works throughout the body—rather than local treatments like surgery alone. The main goals of metastatic melanoma therapy are to slow or stop cancer growth, reduce symptoms, extend survival, and maintain quality of life.
Today, metastatic melanoma treatment has advanced significantly. Options may include immunotherapy, targeted therapy (for patients with specific gene mutations), radiation therapy, and participation in clinical or investigational treatment programs. The choice of therapy depends on several factors, including prior treatments, tumour characteristics, overall health, and patient preferences, and is best guided by an experienced melanoma specialist.
What is immunotherapy and how does it work?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps the body’s own immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. Normally, cancer can hide from the immune system by switching off immune responses or disguising itself as normal tissue. Immunotherapy works by re-activating immune cells—especially T cells—so they can better identify melanoma cells as abnormal and destroy them.
In melanoma, immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed outcomes for many patients by producing long-lasting responses in some individuals. Rather than attacking the cancer directly like chemotherapy, immunotherapy works by strengthening and directing the immune response. Because the immune system is involved, responses may take time to develop, and side effects are usually related to immune activation rather than traditional chemotherapy toxicity.
What is oncolytic immunotherapy and how does it work?
Oncolytic immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses specially modified viruses to target and destroy cancer cells while stimulating the body’s immune system. These viruses are designed to preferentially infect tumour cells rather than healthy cells. Once inside the cancer, the virus can replicate and cause the tumour cells to break apart, a process known as oncolysis. This direct destruction of cancer cells releases tumour antigens, which helps alert the immune system to the presence of the cancer.
Beyond directly lysing tumour cells, oncolytic immunotherapy works by turning the cancer into a target for the immune system. As the immune system recognises and responds to the released tumour signals, immune cells such as T cells are recruited to attack remaining cancer cells throughout the body. This dual action—direct tumour destruction and immune activation—makes oncolytic immunotherapy different from traditional treatments like chemotherapy. Research suggests it may also enhance the effectiveness of other immunotherapies, offering a promising approach for certain cancers, including melanoma.
Overview of the Adze1.C drug
Adze1.C is an investigational oncolytic immunotherapy designed to stimulate a targeted immune response against cancer. It is based on the concept of using a modified virus to selectively interact with tumour tissue and activate immune pathways within the tumour environment. By doing this, Adze1.C aims to make melanoma cells more visible to the immune system.
Adze1.C is not a standard, government-approved melanoma treatment and is offered as part of a specialised therapeutic research program. Research into oncolytic immunotherapies suggests they may help “prime” the immune system and potentially enhance the body’s ability to mount an anti-cancer response. Your treating clinician will discuss whether this therapy may be appropriate for your individual situation.
What to expect during treatment
Treatment with Adze1.C is delivered under medical supervision in a clinical setting. Before starting therapy, patients undergo a comprehensive consultation and assessment to review medical history, prior cancer treatments, imaging, and blood tests. This ensures the treatment plan is tailored and safety considerations are addressed.
The treatment consists of a single “priming dose” followed by six intralesional injections every two weeks.
During treatment, patients are closely monitored for side effects and overall wellbeing. Initial reactions may include flu-like symptoms or local immune-related effects, which are commonly associated with immune activation. Follow-up visits allow clinicians to assess response, manage symptoms, and determine whether ongoing treatment is appropriate. Every patient’s experience is different, and the care team remains actively involved throughout the process.
Where to find treatment in Australia
Adze1.C therapy is available in Australia through the Tasman Health Clinic, a specialist centre experienced in advanced and investigational cancer immunotherapies. The clinic focuses on providing personalised care for patients with complex or advanced cancers, including metastatic melanoma, and works within Australian medical and ethical standards.
Patients can access the Tasman Health Clinic by referral or direct enquiry. The clinical team can provide detailed information about eligibility, assessment requirements, and next steps. For Australian melanoma patients exploring additional therapy options, the clinic offers a supportive environment where treatment decisions are made collaboratively and transparently.
For more information, please visit tasmanhealthcare.com.au
For more information on our study, please also see clinicaltrials.gov